In a conference where it can truly be said that any team can beat any other team on any given night, the Bisons were in control for most of the game, but failed to finish strong in a 73-71 loss to Stetson on homecoming Saturday at Allen Arena.

The loss was only the second in 10 outings at home for the Bisons who are in a dogfight for one of the eight spots in the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament.

"This league is a one-possession game from week-to-week," said Lipscomb coach Scott Sanderson. "Every possession is critical."

The Bisons started strong, switching leads 10 times on the way to a slim 38-36 halftime edge.

In the second half the Bisons went on a 13-4 run to lead 53-40 with 16 minutes left on a fast break that ended with a lay-up by Jason Guyette.

At 14:14 the Bisons would take their biggest lead of the game at 15 points on a field goal by Brian Fisk that put the Bisons ahead 57-42.

In the final nine minutes, several Stetson steals combined with a 19-7 scoring advantage sealed the loss for the Bisons. From the7:19 mark until the end of the game the Bisons scored only five points.

With four seconds left E.J. Gordon stole the ball from Fisk. Gordon went to the free throw lie to a pair to make it 73-71 with three seconds left. Fisk would shoot a 3-pointer from about 30 feet out at the buzzer, but the shot missed.

"I told Brian that play didn't beat us," Sanderson said. "We had numerous plays in the first half and second half where the ball was rolling the around on the floor, and we didn't get them."

Fisk led the Bisons in scoring with 19 points. Jason Guyette added 12. The Bisons shot 46.3 from the field.

"It's definitely a mental thing offensively," Sanderson said. "We got good shots. Late in the game we got very good shots. We just didn't make them."

The Bisons held a slim 35-34 edge on the boards. Charlie Jenney led the Bisons with eight boards.

Stetson placed four players in double figures. E.J. Gordon earned the double-double with 19 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Anthony Register scored a game-high 21 for Stetson followed by Will Holloman with 14 and Karl Hollingsworth with 13.